Speculation about the future of the business empire of Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau is building after it was disclosed on Wednesday that he will face bribery and money-laundering charges in Macau.

The South China Morning Post in its lead front-page story today, “Tycoon May Hand Over the Reins,” reports that the court case may be lengthy and suggests Lau could turn over his leadership of his main business, real estate concern Chinese Estates, to a family member.

One immediate candidate for the top post would appear to be Lau’s son, Ming-wai, the vice chairman of Chinese Estates who his father has been grooming for leadership. He holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science and King’s College London. He is an attorney in the state of New York in the United States, has a CFA and previously worked at Goldman Sachs.

Lau’s sister Amy is a member of Chinese Estate’s board, and brother Thomas is also one of Hong Kong’s most successful businesspeople.

The charges against him are tied to land bids and the payment of HK$20 million, or $2.6 million, to Macau’s former public works chief Ao Man-long, who is serving a 28-year jail term, the South China Morning Post reported yesterday. A check co-signed by Lau written to a Ao-controlled company was found in Ao’s former house during an investigation, the English-language daily said.